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It is closing day at the Spa this afternoon, and Mother Nature has put In  one last jab, with the main track listed as muddy and the turf course soft.

Races 1,5,6,and 11 have moved to the main track, while races 8 and 10, the two stakes are remaining on the turf as of this morning. spablog10.gif

The eighth race is the $75,000 Esslesiastic, a 5 ½ furlong turf race that drew a field of 13. Hopefully the soft going will not lead to too many scratches as it was one of the better wagering races on the card.

The $100,000 Glen Falls (G3) remains on the turf as of this morning, and it also drew a competitive field, with eleven fillies and mares going to the gate in the 1 3/8 mile race on the inner turf.

The final Grade 1 race of the meeting is today’s $250,000 Hopeful, and my top pick Power World certainly has the pedigree to handle an off track.

The Nell Howard runner is by Distorted Humor out of a Storm Cat mare.

Monday’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 9 Hopeful G1 (5:30 ET)

#4 Power World   6/1

#9 J C’s Pride   5/2

#5 Big Blue Nation   10/1

#1 Currency Swap / #1a Clip the Coupons   3/1

Analysis: #4 Power World looks like he is going to benefit the most from the stretch out to seven furlongs. Last out in the Sanford (G2) the colt made a good late rally to finish second behind the highly regarded Pletcher runner Overdriven. The third place finisher in the race was Jack’s in the Deck, who came back to beat Alw-1 optional claimers at Delaware Park on Aug. 20. The colt has shown steady improvement with each outing for the Howard barn that tends to take its time with two year olds. The colt put in a solid work on Aug. 31. He has five sibs that are winners including stakes winner Santa Catarina ($645K), and this guy has a strong off track pedigree.

#9 J C’s Pride was a good second behind Overdrive in his debut, with that foe coming back to win the Sanford (G2) on July 24. In his second career start he broke his maiden by 3 1/4 lengths in gate to wire fashion that produced a track record for five furlongs. The colt was aided slightly from a racing strip that was kind to horses on or near the lead that day. He is very quick early and with the outside draw can get good position if somebody to his inside is sent. Coming off that track record and triple digit Beyer, the price is likely going to drift downward from the 5/2 ML.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 4,9 / 1,4,5,9

TRI: 4,9 / 1,4,5,9 / 1,4,5,7,9

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Monday’s Price Plays at Saratoga

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

R1: #4 Another Please   8/1

R2: #8 Light of Truth   15/1

R3: #4 Rein King   12/1

R5: #6 Splendid   12/1

R5: #8 Accent   12/1

R6: #9 Hope Still Springs   10/1

R8: #9 Wicked Tune   8/1

R8: #5 Pachito the Che   8/1

R9: #5 Big Blue Nation   10/1

R10: #7 Dynaslew   10/1